Redmen get pumped up with pep rally, bonfire

Thursday

Nov 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 27, 2008 at 5:59 AM

Clad in their jerseys and cheering as the marching band played, the Killingly High School football team rolled into Owen Bell Park Wednesday night in trucks and cars decorated with paint, streamers and cardboard letters declaring their mascot, the Redmen.

EMILY GROVES

Clad in their jerseys and cheering as the marching band played, the Killingly High School football team rolled into Owen Bell Park Wednesday night in trucks and cars decorated with paint, streamers and cardboard letters declaring their mascot, the Redmen.

The parade, which started at St. James School, was part of the school’s annual pep rally before today’s Thanksgiving game against Putnam High School.

Similar events were held in Plainfield and Putnam Wednesday.

Music pumped from speakers in the park as the band, cheerleaders and football players were given their spotlight before a crowd of students and residents. There was a bonfire after the rally.

School secretary Lorna Tarr said the high school has been buzzing about the pep rally for a week.

“It gets bigger and bigger every year,” Tarr said.

The event is part of School Spirit Week, which included days of themed dress, hallway decorating and a powder-puff football game.

Killingly football assistant coach Pete Neal said the event aims to inspire and excite the players before today’s big game.

“The nice thing is, it keeps the kids in a safe environment and builds a sense of community,” Neal said.

Players said they enjoyed the community involvement.

“It helps to show the football team that even though we lose a lot of games, people still support us,” team member Seth LaPrey, 16, said.

But players also said it helps to pump them up.

“We’re definitely going to win,” team member T.J. Grafton, 17, said.

If you go
What: Killingly High School Redmen vs. the Putnam High School Clippers Thanksgiving football game

When: 10:15 a.m. today

Where: Putnam High School

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